Tragedy strikes Spain's Women's World Cup star
<p>Spanish Women’s World Cup star Olga Carmona was hit with some devastating news shortly after their win against England</p>
<p>The 23-year-old defender was informed that her father had passed away shortly after the final whistle and victory celebration according to the Spanish football federation (RFEF).</p>
<p>“The RFEF deeply regrets having to report the death of Olga Carmona’s father,” the Spanish football federation said in a statement. </p>
<p>“The footballer learned the sad news after the World Cup final.</p>
<p>“We send our most sincere embraces to Olga and her family in a moment of deep pain. We love you, Olga, you are in the history of Spanish football.”</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="es">⚫️ PÉSAME | La <a href="https://twitter.com/rfef?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RFEF</a> lamenta profundamente comunicar el fallecimiento del padre de Olga Carmona. La futbolista ha conocido la triste noticia una vez concluida la final de la Copa del Mundo. </p>
<p>Mandamos nuestro abrazo más sincero a Olga y a su familia en un momento de profundo… <a href="https://t.co/BSe2XmUrVF">pic.twitter.com/BSe2XmUrVF</a></p>
<p>— RFEF (@rfef) <a href="https://twitter.com/rfef/status/1693350809424031985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p>Carmona scored the only goal of the intense game, landing the Spanish team, La Roja the World Cup win for the first time. </p>
<p>A few reports claimed that Carmona's father passed away on Friday, but friends and family decided to not tell her until after the finale on Sunday, so that she could focus on the game. </p>
<p>Carmona, who was still unaware of the news at the time, beamed as she spoke about the team's triumph in an interview after the match. </p>
<p>“I think we’re still not aware of what we’ve achieved,” she said. </p>
<p>“When we land we’re going to freak out.”</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="es">🙌🏻 ¡¡Qué viva España!! ¡¡Somos <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CampeonasdelMundo?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CampeonasdelMundo</a>!!</p>
<p>🗣️ <a href="https://twitter.com/7olgacarmona?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@7olgacarmona</a> nos cuenta cómo ha marcado el gol que le ha dado el título a España.</p>
<p>➡️ "Creo que todavía no somos conscientes de lo que hemos conseguido. Cuando aterricemos vamos a flipar".<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JugarLucharYGanar?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JugarLucharYGanar</a> <a href="https://t.co/NjRrg4bOTx">pic.twitter.com/NjRrg4bOTx</a></p>
<p>— Selección Española Femenina de Fútbol (@SEFutbolFem) <a href="https://twitter.com/SEFutbolFem/status/1693307827568456054?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p>During her goal celebration, the Spanish captain also displayed a message on her shirt that read "Merchi" which she dedicated to her best friend whose mother died recently. </p>
<p>“I want to say this victory is for one of my best friend’s mother, who died recently, I celebrated the goal with that shirt,” she told Spanish broadcasters <em>La 1,</em> right after the game. </p>
<p>Although the Spanish team had little time to enjoy their victory, Carmona was named player of the match for her breakthrough score in the finale. </p>
<p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>
